Help with decision!:)

[jmonique78 54]

I was sure I was going to do the band but now that I have done more research I'm thinking the sleeve would be the way to go? Can some of you tell me why you choose the sleeve over band?

[rebecca_dsu 241]

because when I talked with a local surgeon he seriously discouraged the band eventhough he would give me one if I wanted.

because if you look around this board you will see many who have had the band and are now having to have it removed and have revision surgery to the sleeve because either their band slipped, or stopped working for them and they gained some (or all) of their weight back.

because I don't have time to go have the required maintenance on it (filling, etc)

because the thought of that foreign object in my body gives me the heebiegeebies..

[Teenee Me 30]

Hi, I'm no expert but my doc says he won't put any more bands in. He does bypass or sleeve only. Says its because he's done too many band to sleeve revisions over the years.

[jewintheridge 26]

I have my sleeve surgery scheduled for the 20th of June...I chose sleeve over band for 2 reasons..1..I didn't want to think of this as something I can undo once it's put on...I need a permanent boundary..2..the elimination of that hormone ghrelin.my friend who had the sleeve done in Jan says he just never feels Hungary..he's not suffering with cravings.everyone is different but for the most part I'm reading a lot of positive outcomes from this surgery..best of luck;)

[jmonique78 54]

That's what I'm also thinking is I need a permanent situation. I have started to read about all the revisions etc and that scares me to

Death!

[T'snewstart 251]

I have a friend that did the band.... she had nothing but problems and almost died of dehydration. She had slippage twice. Finally after a year the surgeon removed it. He then told her the sleeve would be best. All of this happened with her while I was going through the prep requirements for my insurance company to approve my surgery. So for me that was a easy decision. My friend lost her wieght but was miserable for a year. I did not want to live like that. I have had the same results with the sleeve in 6 months. It took her a year with the band. I have to remind myself to eat....she was always hungry.

Ok.....sorry my answer is so jumbled ..... but I wanted you to know how my thought process unfolded.....

Best Wishes in your decision....

[jmonique78 54]

I appreciate it! All of your thoughts made sense to me!

[MystiGal 143]

85% of people who get the Lapband later have a revision to the Sleeve. Research the statistics and they will tell you why the sleeve is a better choice.

[Lisha73 97]

the long term the band is not worth it...if you did have success with them the success rate only last 5 years and that is if you have zero probs...The sleeve is a permanent process (tool). My surgeion doesnt do bands anymore either. He is a tell it how it kinda guy. plus with the sleeve since most of your stomach is removed so the hormome makeing area of Ghrelin which tells your brain you want food...with the band you still have that horemone so you are constintaly fighting with yourself

[jmonique78 54]

This is all great advice thank you so much! Thursday mr psychiatrist will give me the ok to move forward with process or not. I think I will push for the sleeve! How was your recovery time?

[MystiGal 143]

I was sleeved on Tuesday, May 21st. I feel almost 100% back to normal and will be returning to work tomorrow (had one week off). Everyone is different, so there is really no way to know how much time you will need. I see alot of people on here take 6 weeks off, but I think that is extreme.

[GoldyGirl 186]

1. the whole foreign object in my body make me feel sick.
   
2. the time and money of keeping it filled
   
3. and they slip
   

[junebug38 13]

I started off looking into the band because I know someone who has it and loves it. After reading up on it, I decided I'd be better off with the sleeve for the following reasons:

- faster weight loss

-no foreign body

- I have a lot more to lose than my friend did (she lost about 50; I need to lose closer to 150!)

- feels like a permanent solution (I don't want more than one surgery!)

I spoke to both the surgeon and the bariatric internist and they both thought the sleeve would be better for me. They always say that the band and RNY are reversible, but I asked about it and they both said you would gain all the weight back if they did....so what's the point in that?

[jmonique78 54]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I wanted band but started reading up on it and seems like more up kept and more hassel. Also seems the band has so many complications and risks .

[megancd 48]

I originally wanted the band as well but after a lot of reading and research the band seemed to have quite a bit of problems (slippage, erosion, ineffectiveness) and not nearly the same weight loss as the sleeve.